Car Hire

ALGARVE TRAVEL SOLUTIONS are able to co-ordinate your holiday car rental. Vehicles are available for prompt collection at Faro airport. A representative will meet your incoming flight, and all you need to remember is your driving license.

Take a look at the table of local prices. OR click here to compare national companies and worldwide destinations.

LOCAL CAR HIRE RATES 2008
Prices per week in euros
Group	Doors	Car type	Jan / Feb / Mar Nov and Dec	Apr / May / Jun and Oct	Jul / Aug and Sep
A	3	OPEL CORSA	130.00	150.00	190.00
B	5	OPEL CORSA / R. CLIO	140.00	160.00	200.00
C a/c	5	RENAULT CLIO a/c	160.00	200.00	250.00
D a/c	5	CITROEN XSARA RENAULT MEGANE	225.00	275.00	320.00
E a/c	5	C. XSARA / R. MEGANE ESTATE	235.00	281.00	340.00
F a/c	5	C. JUMPER / P. BOXER 9 seats	310.00	410.00	510.00
F1 a/c	5	F. TRANSIT / R. TRAFFIC 9 seats LUXURY	420.00	498.00	608.00
1 DAY RENTAL - SMALL CAR (CORSA OR CLIO)			45.00	50.00	55.00
1 DAY RENTAL - MEDIUM CAR (CITROEN XSARA)			55.00	60.00	65.00
NOTE: Automatic & other vehicles upon request

Alternatively if you do not require a car for the complete duration of your holiday, you can hire for a shorter period. From as short 24hrs just to get you to your destination, or perhaps 3 days to explore the area. Whatever your choice, a vehicle can be arranged for collection at Faro airport or locally in Lagos.

These prices are quoted in euros per 7 days and are fully inclusive of unlimited kilometers, insurance and tax.

 

 

Driving

Portuguese drivers have more accidents than ANY OTHER European country. It is best to let them pass, get on with it, and stay out of the way. The EN125 has a ZERO tolerance for speeding. Major roads have a hard shoulder which should be used as an escape lane but beware of donkey carts, mopeds and parked cars that may be using the lane.

Police set up frequent road blocks to check documentation. You should at all times have the car documents, hire papers and insurance certificate in the vehicle. (Most hire companies usually leave the relevant paperwork in the glove box.) In addition keep your driving license and passport with you whilst driving. Fines for traffic offenses can be high and often have to be paid on the spot. (Ask for a receipt 'recibo'). The drink / driving limit is about half of the UK level - do not take risks.

If you fancy a trip into Spain, which is an easy drive taking approximately 1.5 hours, first check with your hire car company that you are fully covered for crossing the border. Some will make a nominal extra charge to your documents. Petrol is a similar price wherever you are, so there is no need in shopping around. If you are fortunate in driving a diesel vehicle, the cost is approximately one third cheaper than petrol.

NEW LAWS ON BABY SEATS & BOOSTER SEATS FOR HIRE CARS IN PORTUGAL It is now compulsory in Portugal for:

• Babies up to 3 years to be in baby seats.
• Babies weighing less than 9 kilograms to be in backward-facing baby seats. These seats may be put on the front passenger seat, provided that there is no airbag for the seat, otherwise they should be put in the back
• Babies weighing 9 kilograms or more can sit in a front facing seat in the back of the car
• Children from 3 to 12 years (or under 1.5 metres tall) to be seated on a booster seat